The gradual return of foreign airlines to Israel has significantly increased the supply and variety of flights to many destinations around the world, especially in Europe, and is starting to bring competition back to prices.
The encouraging picture is that almost every destination now has competition between several airlines. Still, flying during the High Holiday season will not be cheap, and travelers are advised to compare prices carefully among the carriers that have returned to Ben Gurion Airport.
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Gradual return of foreign airlines to Israel has significantly increased the supply and variety of flights
(Photo: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock)
During the period in which most foreign airlines suspended flights to Israel, Israeli carriers enjoyed limited competition, allowing them to maintain higher prices. As more European and international airlines resume operations, competition is growing and fares are beginning to fall.
A ynet review found that round-trip fares to Athens during Rosh Hashanah among eight airlines flying the route, Sky Express, Blue Bird, El Al, Arkia, Israir, Air Haifa, Aegean and Wizz Air, range from $414 on Wizz Air, not including a trolley bag, to $684 on Arkia.
During Sukkot, the cheapest fare ynet found to Athens was $447 on Wizz Air, while Arkia’s fare reached $998.
For Rhodes, where five Israeli and foreign airlines are operating during Sukkot, round-trip prices range from $437 on El Al, including a trolley bag, to $823 on Israir, not including a trolley bag.
For a popular nearby destination like Cyprus, seven airlines are already flying to Larnaca during Rosh Hashanah. Prices range from $449 on Air Haifa to $1,022 on low-cost carrier Wizz Air, a gap of nearly 130%.
Rome also now has several airlines operating flights from Israel. During Sukkot, round-trip prices range from $505 on Blue Bird, not including a trolley bag, to $1,233 on Arkia, also not including a trolley bag, a gap approaching 150%.
Prices in US dollars
Significant differences were also found on flights to Berlin during Sukkot. Blue Bird’s round-trip fare was $617, not including a trolley bag, compared with $881 on Lufthansa for the same dates, including a trolley bag.
During Rosh Hashanah, Lufthansa offered the cheapest fare ynet found to Berlin, $677 round trip including a trolley bag, compared with $735 on Blue Bird, not including a trolley bag.
A flight to Prague during Sukkot on Smartwings costs $504, compared with $732 on Israir and $831 on Arkia.
Large gaps were also found for Corfu. During Sukkot, the cheapest fare ynet found was $492 on Blue Bird, compared with $694 on Arkia and $994 on Israir.
Shirley Cohen-Orekbi, vice president of Eshet Tours, said the return of foreign airlines is affecting the market.
“The addition of dozens of weekly flights to the flight schedule increases supply and restores competition,” she said. “However, we have still not returned to the price levels seen before October 7. Alongside the welcome return of foreign airlines, demand is also constantly increasing, so the market has not yet reached equilibrium.”
She said one reason is that major airlines such as KLM, British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and the U.S. carriers are still not operating regular flights to Israel.
One important point: the return of foreign airlines does not lower prices compared with Israeli airlines on every route.
For example, on flights to Paris during Rosh Hashanah, El Al fares start at $598 round trip, including a trolley bag, while Air France is offering almost double that price, $1,153 round trip for the same dates.
During Sukkot, however, French low-cost carrier Transavia is offering round-trip fares from $558, not including a trolley bag, compared with $977 on El Al, including a trolley bag. Air France fares for the same dates reach $1,382, including a trolley bag.
When it comes to destinations such as the United States and Canada, American carriers United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, as well as Air Canada, have still not returned to Israel.
That is directly affecting fares to New York on El Al and Arkia, which are currently the only airlines flying from Israel to the United States. Israir is expected to join the route soon.
For now, Delta has canceled its flights until September 5, American Airlines until January 7, 2027, and Air Canada until October 24.
Prices reflect the limited competition: fares start at $1,999 on El Al for Rosh Hashanah, between September 10 and 17, or $2,398 on Arkia for the same dates, including a trolley bag and checked suitcase.
Kassiopi Beach, Corfu
(Photo: Lucian BOLCA / shutterstock)
Travelers looking for a vacation during the High Holidays will still have a hard time finding bargain prices. But the picture changes immediately afterward. With demand dropping and foreign airlines continuing to return, tickets for just a few dozen dollars each way are already available for travelers who are flexible with dates and act quickly.
Yaniv Lenis, founder of the Secret Flights website, said travelers who can postpone their vacations this year could benefit significantly.
“Anyone who can hold off on their vacation this year is going to gain big,” he said. “Although the supply of flights at Ben Gurion Airport has grown, holiday demand is still keeping prices high. The real turning point will come immediately after the holidays, with a significant drop in prices, to the point that companies like Wizz Air are already offering tickets from 10 euros each way.”
“Because the holidays this year are in September, traveling abroad immediately afterward is a winning combination: especially cheap flights and pleasant, inviting weather before Europe gets cold,” he added.
Some examples: Tickets to Larnaca can be found from $22 each way on Wizz Air between October 31 and November 4. Tickets to Palermo in Sicily start at $96 each way between November 2 and 4.
Athens flights on Sky Express start at $107 each way between November 21 and 24. Flights to Varna in Bulgaria start at $11 each way between October 5 and 10.
Tickets to Krakow can be found from $117 each way between November 7 and 13, Rome from $118 each way between October 18 and 23, and Venice from $119 each way between November 18 and 23.
“Keep in mind that these tickets are for quick decision-makers because they are snapped up fast,” Lenis said. “It is recommended to keep following and stay alert for additional destinations published every day with attractive prices for October and November.”
Ben Gurion Airport’s busiest day this summer
Alongside the return of foreign airlines, passenger traffic at Ben Gurion Airport continues to surge.
The Israel Airports Authority estimates that on Thursday, July 30, a new monthly record will be broken, with about 94,000 passengers passing through the airport on some 560 arrivals and departures.
Before that, on Thursday, July 16, about 91,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport.
In total, about 2.3 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport in July, an increase of about 25% compared with the same period last year.